Gastric Sleeve through the VA

Caillouetla · October 25, 2017

Has anyone went through the VA for WLS? I’m in the process but feeling like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. It’s been almost a year in the works. FINALLY I have a consultation (end of November). I’ve completed all of the labs, 6 month diet, ultrasound of gallbladder, tests, and met all of the criteria. I’m just wondering how long after the consult was your surgery?

Edited October 25, 2017 by Caillouetla

confusedturtle3 · October 25, 2017

My husband is retired and we are on Tricare Standard. My requirements were 3 months of nutritional counseling, surgical consults, a psych consult, upper GI and blood tests. After all of that my surgery date was set for November 21st. My BMI was at a 41 when I started and it is just over 40 now, I do not have any of the comorbidities listed on the Tricare website. I did try a few times while hubby was active duty, to have WLS but I backed out every time I lost 15-20 lbs.

Have a great day!
Amanda [emoji16]
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]

confusedturtle3 · October 25, 2017

Has anyone went through the VA for WLS? I’m in the process but feeling like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. It’s been almost a year in the works. FINALLY I have a consultation (end of November). I’ve completed all of the labs, tests, and met all of the criteria. What is next?

I was told the last time that retired military have to go through the same process but that was 7 years ago so it may have changed.

Have a great day!
Amanda [emoji16]
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]

Caillouetla · October 25, 2017

I’ve done the 6 month diet, blood work, ultrasound of gallbladder, physc test, and a few other labs. It seems strange the consult was scheduled AFTER all of the tests. I guess just not knowing if it’s YES or not is what’s killing me. It’s been a waiting game.

Caillouetla · October 25, 2017

1 hour ago, confusedturtle3 said:

My husband is retired and we are on Tricare Standard. My requirements were 3 months of nutritional counseling, surgical consults, a psych consult, upper GI and blood tests. After all of that my surgery date was set for November 21st. My BMI was at a 41 when I started and it is just over 40 now, I do not have any of the comorbidities listed on the Tricare website. I did try a few times while hubby was active duty, to have WLS but I backed out every time I lost 15-20 lbs.

Have a great day!
Amanda
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish

Thank you for responding. I’ve donw all of the same: the diet, psyc counseling, labs, ultrasound of gallbladder, etc. How long after you met the criteria did it take for you to get a date? My consult is 11/22.

confusedturtle3 · October 26, 2017

Thank you for responding. I’ve donw all of the same: the diet, psyc counseling, labs, ultrasound of gallbladder, etc. How long after you met the criteria did it take for you to get a date? My consult is 11/22.

My initial appt with my surgeon & nutritionist was in early August. I had all of my labs done the following day. I’ve had a monthly nutrition appt in Sept & Oct, Psych eval in Sept and my final doc appt in early October. That day I scheduled my surgery and the surgeon sent his recommendation to Tricare. I received my approval letter within a week. I am going through Tricare Standard though, which means I’m using a civilian surgeon/hospital.

Have a great day!
Amanda [emoji16]
HW 248 CW 241 Surgery Date: pending 11/21/2017. Goal weight 150’ish [emoji23]